2012– 2013
We are a Fairtrade town but this does not mean we can relax as we need to spread the
word throughout the town and work hard to encourage local businesses, schools,
churches and charitable organisations to do likewise.
During the year the group has supported a number of organisations including the
Town Council, Deal With It, Carers’ Support – Dover District & Thanet, Pathfinders, the
North Deal Community Partnership, the Golf Road Centre, Café Eden at St. Richard’s
church and Marine Conservation beach cleans. .
We joined Traidcraft so we are able to supply goods for Fairtrade raffle baskets when
requested. We are also able to support local charities with refreshments at meetings
and to have stalls at local events.
Cafe Eden where we have a monthly stall
A Typical Raffle Prize
The group took part in a variety of community events with stalls and raffles. These
included stalls in the Undercroft, Deal Hospital Fete, Picnic on the Green, the Miners’
Festival, and Trinity Church’s Christmas Tree Festival. We also provided refreshments
and/or took part in Holocaust Memorial Day, International Women’s Day and Hiroshima
Day.
Catering Holocaust
Memorial Day
Fairtrade Prize for Deal
Photographic Competition
Deal Rotary Club
Meeting
Support for Local Organisations: Since becoming a Fairtrade Town, the group has
used its contacts to encourage local organisations and community groups to
incorporate support of Fairtrade into their policies. To date the following have done
so: HomeStart Dover District, Deal With It, the North Deal Community Partnership,
the Golf Road Community Centre, Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Regatta Association
and Carers’ Support – Dover District and Thanet.
Walmer Picnic on the Green
with Deal With It
Outside the Co-op at Mill Hill
promoting the use of cotton bags
Dover District Fairtrade Status.
Together with Dover Town Council Fairtrade Steering Group we continue to work with
Dover District Council to achieve District Status. Each group in Dover and Deal has a
District Councillor representative who attends the meetings and supports events.
During 2012, we visited several local schools, had a joint stall at the Miners’ Festival
in Aylesham and generally promoted Fairtrade throughout the district.
Fairtrade in at St Richard’s School
Aylesham Miners’ Festival
Fairtrade in Kent. This group used to meet quarterly, mainly in East Kent but now
maintains contact via e-mail. Its aim is to work towards Kent becoming a Fairtrade
county but members also share information about Fairtrade in their respective areas.
Canterbury, Faversham, Thanet, Medway, Dover and Deal representatives take part.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 – Take a Step for Fairtrade – 22.02.12 to 11.03.12
We had a very successful Fairtrade Fortnight with our usual stalls at various venues.
Vikki from the Skylight Café at the Golf Road Centre organised two baking sessions
with children and their parents, using Fairtrade chocolate and sweets to decorate cup
cakes. We had a stall in Sainsbury’s where we promoted “Take a Step for Fairtrade”
and they organised a Fairtrade Trail around the store.
Golf Road Centre – Baking
Fairtrade Trail at Sainsbury’s
.
Trinity Church had another Pancake Evening during Fairtrade Fortnight
using as many Fairtrade ingredients as they could find – lemons, honey, jam, sugar
etc. We provided an information stall and a Fairtrade raffle prize. This was very
successful and raised funds split between Trinity and a nominated charity. This has
become a very popular and established annual event.
Committee Membership. We continue to be supported by Deal Town Council and
have the Mayor and Councillor Kath Blackburn onside. Dover District Council has
sent Councillor Pam Hawkins as their representative while we work towards Dover
becoming a Fairtrade District. Mr. Tony Nicholls joined us as the representative for
Deal Rotary Club while Mr. Peter Marshall continues his support on behalf of the Coop. Mr. Stuart Cox, Chairman of the local Friends of the Earth lends us a hand and is
a valued committee member. Mrs Daphne Tutton from Trinity Church in Deal is
indefatigable and there whenever she is needed. Mrs. Sue Delling represents the
environmental group Deal With It and is our co-ordinator. She is also a Traidcraft
Fairtrader and provides goods for refreshments and tasters at events. We were sad
to lose Miss Natalie Barnes who has moved to the Canterbury group when she
changed her job. Our loss is their gain.
Our Deal Town Council working group, chaired by Councillor Kath Blackburn meets
every two months on a Friday evening in the Town Hall and we always welcome new
members so please do not hesitate to get in contact with Sue Delling our co-ordinator
on 01304 362396 or sdelling@talk21.com if you feel this is a cause you can
support.